Local News – Monday, May 21st, 2018
Time is running out for everyone in the Salem Community, or for those who work or have visited Salem to complete an online Community Confidence survey for GRO Salem. The purpose of this survey is to gain an understanding of how community members perceive the Salem community. The goal is to conduct this survey every year and closely monitor the changes from year to year. This is a follow up survey to the one that was done last year and your response will help GRO Salem monitor the changes from the previous year to help develop their strategy for the upcoming year. The data collected will be crucial in helping them understand where the Community and Economic Development efforts are making positive impacts with the general public and where additional efforts need to be expended. Surveys need to be completed by this Friday, May 25th, and your response is appreciated. Let your friends, neighbors, co-workers, or church family in the Salem area know about this survey as the more responses that are received, the better GRO Salem can assess what needs to be addressed. There are only five questions and the survey should take no more than five minutes of your time to complete. You can find the survey at www.facebook.com/GroSalem.MO. You will have to scroll down a bit to find the survey. Your effort is appreciated!
City and county officials, school leaders, emergency management agencies and interested residents are invited to attend a public meeting this afternoon at 2:00 in the Salem City Hall Council Chambers to continue development of the Dent County Hazard Mitigation Plan. The county must have an approved hazard mitigation plan in order for Dent County schools, local governments, agencies and others to access state hazard mitigation grant funds. The plan includes an assessment of natural hazards and will establish goals and action items to reduce the impact of natural hazards in the future. Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) is developing the plan in partnership with the Dent County Commission. The more people who attend this meeting reduces the cost of the developing the plan to the county.
The Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting Monday night at 7:00 in the City Hall Council Chambers for their regular meeting. The board received just one bid from Premier Pyrotechnics for $16,000 for the annual fireworks display at The Commons. Mayor Brad Nash will then appoint Beth Atchison to a one-year term on the City of Salem Park and Recreation Board. In the reports of city officials, board and committees, Salem Park and Recreation Director Tye Lydon will report on the Park Board meeting held Friday, May 11th that will include a report on their pool visit, the opening ceremony on Thursday, May 24th for participants in the T-Ball, softball and baseball at the City Park, and other business. City Administrator Ray Walden will discuss the Economic Development position search, discuss a policy change to require a plan review for a commercial project before building permits are issued, discuss and review the certificates of occupancy ordinance, and Walden will request the board develop their 2018-2019 goals and priorities. City Attorney Camm Seay wishes to update the city’s ordinances on Planning and Zoning and on dangerous buildings. Mayor Nash will give his report before the board discusses the ordinance to lease The Commons for the 4th of July Fireworks Activities. The board will review a request to purchase liquid chlorine for the pool of $3,120; and also the cost of repairing the Cemetery’s backhoe that should come to about $5,000 by Kyle Wofford who can replace the cylinders. The board may then go into closed session.
The Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start to the boating season. During the 2017 Memorial Day weekend, there were 15 boating crashes which included seven injuries and one fatality. Two people drowned over last year’s holiday weekend. Troopers arrested 20 people for boating while intoxicated in 2017. Boating is a great pastime and troopers want everyone to enjoy themselves. Never operate a boat while you are impaired; never ride with an impaired operator. Please be courteous to others on the water, wear a life jacket, and obey the law regarding safe operation of a vessel and no wake zones. Causing harm to another person or their property with an excessive boat wake may subject you to enforcement action or civil liability. Always treat other boaters and property owners as you want to be treated. Watercraft operators must consider the effect their actions have on others: Share the waterway and use common sense, good judgment, and courtesy to ensure the safety of all. Life jackets save lives. Wear It!! Boaters in need of assistance or who want to report a crime should use the Highway Patrol’s Emergency Assistance number 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone. For road condition reports, travelers can visit the Patrol’s website at www.mshp.dps.mo.gov. Click on the Road Condition icon to view road construction areas throughout the state or call 1-888-275-6636.
The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their May meeting Tuesday in the hospital library beginning at 6:00 pm. After approval of the agenda, will be the approval of the minutes from the April 17th meeting. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas will discuss the hospital foundation, give an update on the auxiliary and community marketing as well as give the patient satisfaction survey results for the SMDH emergency department and the SMDH family medicine. In old business the Board will address a budget committee meeting report. During new business the Board will address purchases made for the hospital. The May meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public.
The Salem Acoustic Jam will be held Saturday night at 6:30 at the Creative Arts Center, formerly the Teachers Closet, at 6:30.Musicians and listeners of all ages and talents are invited and there is no cost. For more information, call 247-0279 or e-mail saac@embarqmail.com.